Verbena plant named ‘KLEVP08385’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Verbena  named ‘KLEVP08385’ particularly characterized by a very early flowering period, large red inflorescences, a semi-trailing growth habit, and high resistance to powdery mildew, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Verbena hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEVP08385’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Verbena, botanically known as Verbena hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘KLEVP08385’. ‘KLEVP08385’ was discovered as a seedling resulting from a cross conducted in Spring 2006 in New South Wales, Cobbitty, Australia between the proprietary female Verbena parent, ‘00.050.40’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male Verbena parent, ‘00.051.18’ (unpatented). A single plant selection was subsequently chosen for further evaluation and for asexual propagation.

The new cultivar was first propagated in Fall 2006 by vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings over four generations. ‘KLEVP08385’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar were applied for in Canada on Apr. 8, 2008 and in Switzerland on Aug. 15, 2008. ‘KLEVP08385’ has not been made publicly available more than one year prior to filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal commercial practices in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. A very early flowering period;     -   2. Large red inflorescences;     -   3. A semi-trailing growth habit; and     -   4. High resistance to powdery mildew.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Verbena plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows inflorescences and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

The photograph is of a plant about 4-months old and grown from rooted cuttings in the open ground and grown under a greenhouse (glasshouse) in the spring-fall in Stuttgart, Germany under natural light.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEVP08385’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken on 4-month old plants in the open ground and grown in a glass covered greenhouse. The plants were pinched once approximately two weeks after potting. The color readings were determined under natural light. Color references are to The RHS Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Verbenaceae.         -   Genus and species.—Verbena hybrida.         -   Common name.—Verbena. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary female Verbena plant,             ‘00.050.40’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary Verbena plant, ‘00.051.18’             (unpatented) -   Plant:     -   -   Growth and branching habit.—Semi-trailing.         -   Height (from top of soil).—25.0 cm.         -   Width (horizontal plant diameter).—Approximately 40.0 cm.         -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—12 weeks.         -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—20 days.         -   Root description.—Smooth roots with an ovate shape. -   Stems:     -   -   Number of branches per plant.—Numerous, greater than 6.         -   Growth habit.—The stems grow from the middle in a star or             V-shape.         -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 cm.         -   Diameter (measured from the midpoint).—15.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—Approximately 3.5 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 135C.         -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.         -   Texture and appearance.—Shiny, ovate, slightly pubescent. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Immature and mature leaf.—Color: Upper surface: RHS 135B.             Lower surface: RHS 135C.         -   Length.—3.5 cm.         -   Width.—2.0 cm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Cuspidate.         -   Base.—Truncate.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Texture.—Leathery.         -   Venation.—Pinnate.         -   Venation color.—Slightly darker than RHS 135B.         -   Petioles.—Length: Approximately 0.1 cm. Diameter:             Approximately 0.1 cm. Color: RHS 135B. Texture: Leathery. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Shape.—Tall, cylindrical.         -   Length.—1.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—Less than 0.1 cm.         -   Color (at tight bud).—RHS 135C. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Blooming habit (flowering season).—Continuous.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—High,             approximately 1 week.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Inflorescence type.—Umbel.         -   Length of inflorescence.—2.0 cm to 3.0 cm.         -   Diameter of inflorescence.—Approximately 6.0 cm.         -   Number of florets per inflorescence.—25.         -   Peduncle.—Length: Approximately 2.0 cm. Diameter:             Approximately 0.1 cm. Color: RHS 45B and RHS 155D. Texture:             Leathery. -   Florets:     -   -   Form.—Single.         -   Length.—2.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—2.0 cm.         -   Color.—Immature: Upper surface: RHS 44B and RHS 155B. Lower             surface: RHS 44C and RHS 155C. Mature: Upper surface: RHS             45B and RHS 155B. Lower surface: RHS 45C and RHS 155C.         -   Corolla tube length.—0.5 cm.         -   Corolla tube color.—RHS 131B.         -   Petals.—Length of lobe: 1.0 cm. Diameter of lobe: 0.5 cm.             Lobe shape: Reniform. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Acute. Margin:             Sinnuate. Texture (both surfaces): Shiny.         -   Pedicels.—Length: 1.0 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm. Color: RHS 45B.             Texture and appearance: Shiny. -   Calyx:     -   -   Arrangement.—Composed of 10 vase-shaped sepals arranged in a             single row. -   Sepals:     -   -   Shape.—Round.         -   Length.—0.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—Greater than 0.1 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 143B.         -   Apex.—Obtuse, vase-shaped.         -   Base.—Obtuse, vase-shaped.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Leathery. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity: 5. Appearance: Shiny. Color: RHS 131B.             Filament length: 3.0 cm. Filament diameter: 1.0 cm.         -   Anther.—Color: RHS 131C. Length: 1.0 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm.         -   Pollen.—Amount: None, sterile.         -   Pistils.—Number: 1. Length: 1.0 cm. Diameter: Less than             0.1 cm. Stigma: Color: RHS 143B. Appearance: Shiny. Length:             0.1 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Style: Color: RHS 143D.             Length: 0.1 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Appearance:             Shiny. -   Fruit and seed set: None observed. -   Disease and insect resistance: High resistance to powdery mildew. No     particular resistance to insects observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

‘KLEVP08385’ differs from the female parent, the proprietary Verbena ‘00.050.40’ (unpatented) in that ‘KLEVP08385’ has large inflorescences, while ‘00.050.40’ has small inflorescences.

‘KLEVP08385’ differs from the male parent, the proprietary Verbena ‘00.051.18’ (unpatented) in that ‘KLEVP08385’ has a less vigorous growth habit than ‘00.051.18’.

‘KLEVP08385’ differs from the commercial comparison variety ‘Vegas Bright Red’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,386) in that ‘KLEVP08385’ has a peduncle, inflorescences without any fragrance, and a short stem length (15.0 cm), while ‘Vegas Bright Red’ does not have a peduncle, has inflorescences that have a soft fragrance, and a long stem length (60.0 cm to 100.0 cm). 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘KLEVP08385’ as shown and described herein. 